The film Where the Wild Things Are is a 2009 fantasy adventure drama directed by Spike Jonze. It is based on Maurice Sendak's 1963 children's book of the same name. The story follows a 9-year-old boy named Max who runs away from home after a fight with his mother and sails to an island inhabited by large creatures called the Wild Things. Max convinces them he is their king and tries to bring harmony to the group
. The film combines live-action, actors in costumes, animatronics, and CGI to bring the creatures to life. It stars Max Records as Max, with voice performances by actors including James Gandolfini, Forest Whitaker, and Catherine O'Hara. The movie was primarily filmed in Melbourne, Australia, and was a joint production between the United States, Australia, and Germany
. Where the Wild Things Are was released in the United States on October 16, 2009, with later releases in Australia and Germany. Although it received positive reviews and appeared on several year-end top ten lists, the film was a financial disappointment, grossing about $100 million against a $100 million budget
. The film is noted for its emotional depth and visual beauty, with detailed sets and realistic monster effects achieved through a blend of puppetry and CGI
. In summary:
- Title: Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
- Director: Spike Jonze
- Based on: Maurice Sendak’s 1963 book
- Plot: Max runs away to an island of monsters and becomes their king
- Style: Live-action with costumes, animatronics, CGI
- Filming location: Melbourne, Australia
- Release date: October 16, 2009 (USA)
- Box office: ~$100 million
- Noted for: Emotional depth, visual effects, unique monster design
